Daniel-San wrote:
First off, thanks to those who suggested places for a pre-spawn vacation.
The Planning Committee decided on the Grove Park Inn (suggested, I believe,
by the estimable Mr. Fortenberry -- thanks). We're leaving the 31st of May
and staying for 4 or 5 days.

Now the important part:

Looking for some local info -- fishing primarily, but also dinner places and
shopping ideas. ...

Asheville has an excellent fly shop. Go to Hunter Banks and buy $10
worth of flies, tell them what you're looking for, ie small mountain
streams with wild brookies, and you'll get $100 worth of good advice
that's timely, relevant and spot on.

http://www.hunterbanks.com/

Basically you can get on the Blue Ridge Parkway head south, pull off
and park almost anywhere and find a trout stream a short hike away.
I've fished in the Middle Prong Wilderness and it's just beautiful
small mountain stream fishing. The web site NC Wildlife has trout
stream maps: http://www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_03_fishing.htm
Click on Maps then scroll down to Trout Fishing Maps. Asheville is
in Buncombe county and the Middle Prong is in Haywood County. Just
pick the blue ones and you can't hardly go wrong.

I'll be able to fish two or three days and am willing to drive/hike a bit if
that helps. Not looking for anything too remote (for this trip, anyway), but
would like to keep two-legged interaction to a minimum whilst I pick my fly
out of the trees. (keeps the embarrassment level to a minimum)

Gear suggestions? I'd imagine my short 3wt would be ideal here. (?) Likely
bugs?

The 3 wt is perfect. You're not going to find much solitude close to
Asheville on the weekends so try to get out during the week. Likely bugs
are March Browns and BWOs but ask at the fly shop.

Have fun.

--
Ken Fortenberry